israel-stops-imminent-attack-by-striking-un-school

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently conducted an overnight strike on a United Nations-run school in Gaza, claiming it was necessary to stop a "ticking time bomb." Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, explained that this action was part of their ongoing operations against Hamas, which has been using United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) facilities for military purposes.

 

According to Hagari, Hamas has been exploiting schools, hospitals, and other civilian facilities to shield their military activities, hoping to leverage international law and public sympathy for protection. This tactic, he stated, is part of a broader strategy to conduct warfare from places that typically enjoy international protection, making it more challenging for the IDF to target them without risking civilian casualties.

 

“Hamas hopes that international law and public sympathy will provide a shield for their military activities—which is why they systematically operate from schools, U.N. facilities, hospitals and mosques.”

Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari’s full briefing regarding Hamas… pic.twitter.com/8Kas9RDnI8

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 6, 2024

 

The strike on the UNRWA school was described as a "precise, intelligence-based" operation targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists who were hiding inside the facility. Hagari emphasised that these militants were not only planning future attacks but were also linked to the tragic events of October 7, when a massacre orchestrated by Hamas resulted in significant loss of life.

 

In his statement, Hagari detailed the meticulous planning behind the strike. The IDF had obtained concrete intelligence from multiple sources, indicating that the terrorists were operating from within three specific classrooms in the school.

 

Aerial surveillance had been monitoring the compound for days, and the decision to strike was delayed twice due to the presence of civilians in the area. It was only when surveillance confirmed that there were no women or children in the targeted classrooms that the strike was carried out.

 

The IDF confirmed that the operation was conducted by Israeli Air Force fighter jets, targeting a Hamas compound within the UNRWA school in Nuseirat, located in the central Gaza Strip. Reports indicate that at least 40 people were killed in the strike, according to a statement from Gaza's government cited by Al Jazeera.

 

The IDF maintains that the terrorists using the school as a shelter belonged to the Nukhba Forces, a highly trained unit of Hamas. These individuals were allegedly planning imminent attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians. The strike, according to the IDF, eliminated several key figures who were integral to these plans.

 

Hagari's statement underscores the IDF's justification for the strike, emphasising the importance of preventing further attacks on Israeli civilians and military personnel. He reiterated that the strike was a necessary measure to dismantle the immediate threat posed by the terrorists hiding within the UNRWA school.

 

The use of civilian infrastructure by Hamas has been a contentious issue, drawing criticism and concern from the international community. The destruction of a UN-run school, in particular, highlights the complex and tragic nature of the conflict, where military operations intersect with humanitarian considerations.

 

In summary, the IDF's overnight strike on the UNRWA school in Gaza was a calculated move to neutralise what they described as an imminent threat. Rear Admiral Hagari's detailed account of the operation aimed to clarify the reasons behind the strike and the measures taken to minimise civilian casualties. The incident remains a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions and the challenges faced by both sides in the conflict.